NHL Rumors: 3 Teams Preparing Offers for Mikael Granlund, As Dallas UFA Heads to Market

Ever since they were eliminated from the playoffs, we had been hearing that the Dallas Stars were going to do their best to bring back Mikael Granlund, the pending UFA center who they acquired in a trade from the San Jose Sharks last season.

But with less than $1 million in projected cap space, the Stars simply ran out of room to be able to work out an extension, and the 33-year-old will now hit the open market on Tuesday, and it will be a "very healthy market", as noted by Elite Prospect's Cam Robinson.

There will be a very healthy market for Mikael Granlund, who’s now expected to hit the open market

Among the teams preparing offers: STL, SJS & CAR

Despite reports, I'm told VAN is not expected to be able to compete with more competitive clubs who will also make better offers
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) June 30, 2025

Robinson notes at least three teams that are "preparing offers" for Granlund:

St. Louis Blues
San Jose Sharks
Carolina Hurricanes

Granlund enjoyed the idea of being on a true playoff contender with Dallas, and he registered 10 points in 18 games. If he is looking for another guaranteed shot at the postseason, of the above list, the Hurricanes are the surest bet.

The Canes have a goal of adding a second-line center this summer, and Granlund could be the one. He's topped the 60-point mark in each of the last two years, this past season posting 22 goals and 66 points in 83 games.

In St. Louis, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong specifically noted the need to add a “200-foot center" for his team. Granlund certainly does fit the bill.

As for the Sharks, they seemed to miss Granlund's nearly 21 minutes of ice-time per night after they dealt him to Dallas. They just might be looking to bring him back into their top-six, instead of asking Alexander Wennberg to continue to play higher in the lineup than he should be.